Leeds United: Stoke City and Bournemouth linked with Cook

Phil Hay

Stoke City and Bournemouth are tracking Leeds United midfielder Lewis Cook amid mounting interest in the teenager’s signature ahead of the January transfer window.

The two Premier League clubs have been closely monitoring Cook’s progress on the back of his impressive start to the Championship season and his continuing involvement with England’s youth teams.

Cook, who signed a new two-year contract with Leeds in the summer, has been a regular part of United’s line-up this term and is firmly established in England’s Under-19s squad.

The academy product has long been seen as the most talented of United’s younger players and his future came into question last season before Leeds succeeded in tying him to a new deal in May.

Speaking shortly after that contract was agreed, Cook said: “It was a very easy decision to sign it.

“I’m playing, I’m enjoying my football here and I’ve always been at Leeds so I don’t know why I’d need to leave. I don’t know why anyone would think that.

“The contract topped things off for me and I was really happy to sign it. It was like all the hard work paying off. A lot of good things happened for me last season.”

Manchester United have been linked with him for many months but Stoke and Bournemouth are considering testing the water at Elland Road with firm bids when the January window opens.

Bournemouth recently secured fresh funding via American investors and have shown a willingness to spend on emerging talent. Manager Eddie Howe paid around £8m to take defender Tyrone Mings from Ipswich Town in June.

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